Texas Ranger

In James Patterson's white-hot Western thriller, a Texan Ranger fights for his life, his freedom, and the town he loves as he investigates his ex-wife's murder. Across the ranchlands and cities of his home state, Rory Yates's discipline and law-enforcement skills have carried him far: from local highway patrolman to the honorable rank of Texas Ranger. He arrives in his hometown to find a horrifying crime scene and a scathing accusation: he is named a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife, Anne, a devoted teacher whose only controversial act was ending her marriage to a Ranger. In search of the killer, Yates plunges into the inferno of the most twisted and violent minds he's ever encountered, vowing to never surrender. That code just might bring him out alive.

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Although I don't consider myself a big reader of westerns, I did find that I liked the Walt Longmire series and jumped to this story about Texas Ranger Rory Yates. He gets in trouble, like Walt Longmire, but works hard to solve tough cases.

Loved it! With so many books available to read, it's been a while since I've read one by James Patterson, so I was looking forward to reading this one. I love his writing style and the story was unique. I did not know who the killer was until it was revealed. Once again, James Patterson did not disappoint.

This novel seems like one that's been put together from several different authors who would know much more about Texas Rangers. Patterson's collaborations with different co-authors definitely weakens his writing. If you are interested in books about Rangers, there are many authors who do a better job. Very weak.

I agree with USAF1969. The book is ok and holds the reader's interest, but the main character is neither likeable nor admirable to this reader.

Texas Rangers are among the elite of law enforcement officers. Skilled, determined, and very professional. Yates, on the other hand, is a wild card, repeatedly defying both local police and his own supervisor, butting into the investigation, compromising evidence, harassing an individual he doesn't like because he wants this man to be the killer, not because there is hard evidence against him. He is indeed terribly immature and the real Texas Rangers wouldn't allow him to be a one man vigilante force.

Plus, speaking as a female, Yates is awfully full of himself and his attraction for the local women, who, with the exception of his ex-wife are all pining away for him while he dithers among them at first, but then immediately forgets about them when he sees the girl singer from the country band playing at his favorite roadhouse.

THE RANGER by James Patterson & Andrew Bourelle has an interesting story line with lots of twists and turns. My first guess as to who the killer was came about 1/2 way through and turned out to be correct, but because of the way the story line played out, I was doubting that choice near the end. That's the good news. The downside of this book for me was the primary character, Texas Ranger Rory Yates. Basically, the character development was not up to Patterson's usual stuff. The Ranger is obviously a competent lawman in terms of results and can shoot the lights out with blinding speed from a standing draw. But throughout the story he is way too mercurial, makes many poor choices, jumps to a conclusion about who the killer is way early and won't let it go for emotional reasons, and generally over-acts out in weird ways throughout. If they continue with this character, I hope Patterson & Bourelle "mature' him up some.

Interesting new character to add to the Patterson list. I am sure that we will be seeing more of Rory as time goes by. Fast read (as are most of the Patterson books) but filled with lots of action, murder and mayhem.